Motorists have been blasted by cops for ignoring a warning sign to keep a lane clear for emergency services racing to reach a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest on the region’s busiest stretch of motorway.

Officers from the Central Motorway Policing Group tweeted their dismay at drivers who disregarded a red X sign above the hard shoulder of the M6 southbound near Walsall as they sped to the aid of the victim who had collapsed at the wheel of his car.

CMPG cops posted: “For those who ignored the red X on M6 jnc10; you delayed our patrols and Ambo tending to a very sick man, every minute counts.”